G7 – Catherine Colonna’s participation in the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (November 6-8, 2023)

Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Catherine Colonna will be in Japan on November 6 to 8 for the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Tokyo.

The meeting will address the situation in Israel and the Palestinian Territories following the Minister’s trip to the United Arab Emirates and Qatar this past weekend, specifically the importance of meeting the needs of the civilian population in Gaza, abiding by international humanitarian law, making all possible efforts to prevent a regional conflagration, and establishing a political horizon based on the two-state solution. The Minister will reiterate our condemnation of Hamas’s terrorist acts and the imperative need to release the hostages.

The ministers will also discuss the long-term continuation of support for Ukraine in the face of the Russian aggression, the implementation of security guarantees for Ukraine, and the diplomatic commitment to support an international consensus on President Zelenskyy’s peace plan. They will also have a virtual meeting with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba.

The situation in the South Caucasus and the need to promote a just and lasting peace in the Caucasus that respects international law and the territorial integrity of the nations involved will also be on the agenda. Discussions will also cover relations with the Indo-Pacific and more broadly, cooperation between the G7 and its international partners on high-priority global challenges such as food security and the fight against the effects of climate change. A video conference will also be held with the ministers of the five Central Asian Republics.

On the sidelines of the G7 meeting, the Minister will meet with Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa to discuss bilateral relations as well as top international issues.

Israel – Terrorist attacks in Israel – French nationals who have died, disappeared or been taken hostage (November 6, 2023)

France mourns the tragic death of another French national who had previously been reported missing. This brings to 40 the toll of French victims of the terrorist attacks carried out by Hamas against Israel.

We extend our condolences to their loved ones and are in contact with the families to lend them our full support in this ordeal, and with the Israeli authorities.

Eight compatriots are still reported missing. It has now been confirmed that some of them are hostages of Hamas. As President Macron has said, we are doing everything in our power to secure their release.

We are in constant touch with all the families of our nationals who are missing or being held hostage.

During his visit to Israel, the President met the hostages’ families, whom the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs had also met in Tel Aviv on October 15.

Syria – Bombardment in Idlib province (November 6, 2023)

France condemns the artillery fire and air strikes by the Syrian regime and Russia in Idlib province, in northwestern Syria.

Since October 5, these indiscriminate attacks have left at least 70 dead, one-third of whom were children, and nearly 350 wounded. They have targeted residential neighborhoods, displaced persons camps and civilian infrastructure, including schools and hospitals. According to the UN, more than 120,000 people have been forced to flee the fighting. All in all, the war waged by the Syrian regime, Russia and their allies in Syria have killed hundreds of thousands of Syrians and displaced nearly 12 million people.

France reaffirms its support for the call issued by the UN Secretary-General and his Special Envoy for a cessation of hostilities throughout Syria and a political resolution consistent with UN Security Council Resolution 2254.

France reaffirms its commitment to the strict respect for international humanitarian law and human rights. It reaffirms its support for the fight against impunity.